South Wake Landfill Timeline

Explore the history of the South Wake Landfill from 1990 to the present. 

1990 - 1994

October 1990 - June 1991: Wake County Commissioners purchase land for “Feltonsville Landfill expansion” and authorize pursuit of additional land to assure long-term disposal.

December 1991: Presentation and meeting with Holly Springs Town Commissioners on South Wake landfill plans and intent to implement proposed landfill development.

March 1992: Engineer submits to Wake County evaluation of expanded South Wake landfill site and no “fatal flaws” are found.

April 1992: Wake County authorizes engineer to proceed with subsurface investigation of South Wake site.

September 1992: Public meeting with Holly Springs Town Commissioners for letters on zoning and local government approval.  All approvals granted.

October 1992: Wake County Commissioners approve a motion to relieve Holly Springs of $298,292 remaining debt in exchange for future 50,000 gallons of pre-treated wastewater capacity.

December 1992: Wake County submits Site Plan Application to North Carolina Department of Environment, Health and Natural Resources (NC DEHNR) for property currently held and under negotiation.

May 1993 - February 1995: Wake County pursues site suitability permitting with NC DEHNR.

December 1994: Wake County and Holly Springs sign Interlocal Agreement to:

1.  Forgive Town payment balance for waste water treatment plant construction of $298,292;

2.  Pay Town $228,800 for design and construction of waste water pumping station and force main;

3.  Approve the construction and operation of the South Wake Solid Waste Management Facility (SWSWMF) within the corporate limits and ETJ of the Town.

1995 - 1999

March 1995: NCDEHNR issues Site Suitability Letter for South Wake Landfill.

December 1995: County engineer starts work on Permit to Construct Application (PTC).

December 1996: County submits PTC Application to NCDEHNR.

September 1997: Draft comments received from NCDEHNR on PTC.

September 1997 - April 1998: Wake County pursues PTC approval from NC DEHNR.

April 1998: NCDEHNR issues draft Permit to Construct and 45-day comment period begins.

May 1998: NCDEHNR holds mandated public hearing on draft Permit to Construct at Holly Springs Elementary School.  Wake County Solid Waste Management Division holds public information meeting earlier in the day.

June 1998: NCDEHNR comment period and two additional extension periods end.

February 1999: NC DEHNR issues facility PTC No. 92-22 for the South Wake Landfill.

2000 - 2004

April 1999 - December 2003: Litigation challenging the Permit to Construct (PTC).

March 2001: Order of Wake County Superior Court re-issues PTC No. 92-22.

August 2003: All municipalities and County agree to Interlocal Agreement to collaborate on a process to select the best long-term solid waste disposal option.

November 2003: Through the collaborative effort, Wake County issues Request for Expressions of Interest for vendors to provide long-term solid waste disposal services.

December 2003: Parties reach Settlement Agreement in US District Court.

April 2004: Request for Proposals is issued to vendors qualified through the REI process.

2005 - 2009

September 2004 - February 2005: Evaluations of Proposals and Vendor Presentations.

February - June 2005: Collaboration of municipal and County managers agree on best long-term option.

July - November 2005: Various scenarios of long-term disposal option are evaluated.

December 2005 - June 2006: Local governments approve long-term Interlocal Agreement and Wake County Commissioners approve Landfill Design, Construction and Operating Agreement with Waste Industries, LLC.

November 2006: County establishes South Wake Citizens Committee which has met consistently for 2 to 4 times per year since 2006. 

November 2006: Construction of South Wake Landfill entrance facilities begins.

March 2007: Construction of South Wake Landfill Phase 1A begins.

January 2008: Permit to operate Phase 1A.

February 2008: Phase 1A receives initial waste placement.

August 2009: Construction of South Wake Landfill Phase 1B begins.

2010 - 2014

Jun. 2010: Permit to operate Phase 1B.

Jul. 2010: Phase 1B receives initial waste placement.

Nov. 2010: Initial Air Permit issued by NCDEQ.

Jan. 2011: Commencement of landfill gas collection system operation.

Jun. 2013: Wake County sold 42.3 acres to the Town of Holly Springs for Ting Park. The Town paid $253,668 initially with the balance of $1.8 million due by 2023.

Aug. 2013: Permit to construct Phase 2. 

Sep. 2013: Ingenco power plant commences operations.

Feb. 2014: Title V Air Quality Permit issued to South Wake.

Jun. 2014: Construction of South Wake Landfill Phase 2A begins.

2015 - 2019

March 2015: Holly Springs Town Council presentation regarding South Wake Landfill (SWLF).

April 2015: Permit to operate Phase 2A.

July 2015: Phase 2A receives initial waste placement.

April 2016: Town Council tours of the landfill.

April 2016: Town Council presentation regarding SWLF. 

September 2017: Start of partial closure construction.

December 2017: Life of Site permit issued.

May 2018: Start of NSPS Applicability.

October 2018: Town staff tours the landfill and presentation to Town Council.

August 2019: Presentation to Town Council regarding SWLF.

2020 - present

April 2020: Construction of South Wake Landfill Phase 2B begins.

July 2023: Construction of interim cover begins.

December 2023: Construction of interim cover completed.